Hydrocodone: An Opioid-based medication for Managing Severe Pain

Hydrocodone is an opioid-based medication that helps in managing severe chronic pain. It is often used in combination with other medicines for different purposes. Due to its effectiveness and multiple uses, hydrocodone became one of the most prescribed medications in the United States. Hydrocodone is a Schedule II drug and falls under the category of controlled substances therefore, a prescription from a licenced professional is required to use this medicine. The prescription requirement for Hydrocodone is necessary to limit the misuse of this medication.

When is Hydrocodone Prescribed?

• Hydrocodone is a strong opioid medication that is prescribed for severe pain where other non-opioid-based medications are ineffective.
• This medication proves to be an effective solution for opioid-tolerant patients because of its high potency.
• Hydrocodone is also more effective than codeine for acute musculoskeletal pain.
• Dentists also prescribe Hydrocodone for dental pain relief under special conditions.

Hydrocodone is used in many cases but the effectiveness of the medication for your particular case can differ depending on your mental and physical condition. Consult with your doctors before starting the treatment to know if you are eligible to take hydrocodone. Doctors will ask about your current medication and your previous history of drug use before prescribing you the medication. A prescription is also important if you want to buy hydrocodone online because it is prohibited to buy or sell strong opioid medications without a prescription.

Who should avoid using Hydrocodone?

This medicine is not suitable for the following cases:

• In case of Acute Pain which can be treated with other non-opioid medications.
• Avoid Hydrocodone if you are allergic to Opioids.
• Do not take Hydrocodone if you are breastfeeding, doing so can harm the infant.
• Also, avoid Hydrocodone if you are pregnant or planning for a baby.
• You should avoid hydrocodone if you are already taking some other medication because they might interact with Hydrocodone resulting in unwanted consequences.
• The use of Hydrocodone in children can have some severe life-threatening effects.
• Avoid hydrocodone if you are not used to opioid-based medications.

Important Precautions and Warnings for Hydrocodone Use

Hydrocodone is a strong medication that can lead to serious health issues if misused. To ensure a risk-free and secure treatment it is important to know the precautions. Here is a list that includes some important precautions and warnings that you should know if you currently using or planning to use the medication.

Avoid Alcohol

Alcohol and opioids both affect our central nervous system and slow it down. That’s why you should avoid alcohol while taking Hydrocodone as it can lead to severe consequences including extreme drowsiness, lack of coordination and death.

Interactions with Other Drugs

Interaction of Hydrocodone with other drugs can cause harmful effects and may lead to death in the worst case. This medication can interact with your other opioid or non-opioid medicine and can have adverse effects. Consult with your doctors and tell them about the drugs you are using currently so that they can plan your medication accordingly.

Keep your Medications Safe

Keep your medication in a safe private place away from the hands of children and pets. Keep the medication in a sealed container at room temperature away from excess heat and sunlight.

Avoid Driving

Using hydrocodone affects your nervous system and brain to block the pain signals. This can slow down your brain which can negatively impact your decision-making skills and muscle coordination. Driving in this state is dangerous for you and the people around you.

Stick to the Prescribed dosage

Doctors prescribe the dosage according to the severity of the pain and your current mental/medical condition. Do not increase or decrease the prescribed dosage according to your personal preference, doing so can lead to harmful effects.

Combination Products of Hydrocodone

Hydrocodone is a potent pain relief medication on its own but it is also popularly used in combination with other drugs for different purposes. Some popular combinations of Hydrocodone along with their brand names are given below:

VICOPROPHEN

Combination of Hydrocodone and Ibuprofen
Used for short-term to relieve moderate and severe pain

Lortab

Lortab is a popular medicine that contains Hydrocodone(opioid-based pain reliever) and Acetaminophen(non-opioid-based fever reducer). This medicine is used for managing moderate and severe pain. It contains Hydrocodone and therefore using it for a longer duration can lead to mental dependence on the drug. To avoid the risks of addiction and dependence only buy Lortab online with a prescription and consult with your doctors regarding the potential side-effects of this medication.

Flowtuss

Combination of Hydrocodone and Guaifenesin
Used for treatment of cough and cold in adults

Lortab ASA

Combination of Hydrocodone and Aspirin
Prescribed for pain management

Risk of Addiction and Dependence Associated with Hydrocodone Use

Hydrocodone is a controlled substance and its long-term use even with the prescribed dosage can lead to mental dependence and addiction. When hydrocodone is used for a longer duration, your body develops a tolerance against the drug which reduces its effectiveness. To compensate for the lost potency, the dose of medication is increased which further turns into addiction in the long run.

Dependence on Hydrocodone is the result of using the medication for a longer duration of time. Patients get dependent on the medication for the euphoric sensation it provides which is very similar to the high given by street drugs. Opioids like Hydrocodone affect our brain chemicals which give a happy feeling and with long-term use, our brains get dependent on the drug for this feeling.

How to Avoid Addiction and Dependence of Hydrocodone

• To avoid the risks of addiction and dependence on Hydrocodone never take more than the prescribed amount of medicine.
• Use the medication on a fixed schedule to eliminate the chances of missing the dose.
• Use the medication only for pain relief not for the euphoric sensation.
• Make sure to use this medication under constant professional supervision.

Overdosing of Hydrocodone: What are the Signs and What to Do?

Overdose of a medication refers to taking more than the required amount which is potentially dangerous and can cause severe harmful effects. Hydrocodone overdose can increase the stress on your brain and central nervous system leading to severe consequences.

Signs of Overdosing

The following are the signs of Hydrocodone Overdose:

• Cold and Clammy skin
• Respiratory Depression(irregularly slow and shallow breathing)
• Overdosing of Hydrocodone with acetaminophen can lead to severe liver diseases
• Constricted Pupil
• Low blood pressure
• Death in the worst case

What to do in case of Overdosing

In case you experience any of the above signs of overdosing, contact your doctors or emergency helpline as soon as possible. Naloxone is an effective solution to reverse the harmful effects of opioid overdose. Being an opioid antagonist, Naloxone directly affects the opioid receptor to quickly reverse the effects of opioid overdose. Using naloxone can help to restore your breathing to normal quickly.

What if I miss a Dose?

To avoid this risk of Hydrocodone overdose, take the missed dose as soon as possible and if the time is already for the second dose skip the missed dose. Do not double dose this medication in any situation.

Is it Safe to Purchase the Medication Online?

Yes, you can safely purchase Hydrocodone from online pharmacy websites for convenience and better accessibility. Generally, buying from an online pharmacy is best for those with busy schedules or people living in remote areas without medical stores. But the convenience of online purchases comes with its risks therefore, before you buy Hydrocodone online keep the following things in your mind.

Check For a Valid Licence

The pharmacy is only allowed to sell controlled substances with a valid licence from the State Board of Pharmacy. You can check if the pharmacy is licenced through the official database or contact customer care for detailed information.

Confirm the address of the Medicine provider

Many online pharmacies partner with physical stores to provide medications, in such cases you can confirm the medicine provider’s address through the website.

Prescription Required

A legitimate online pharmacy will always ask for a valid prescription before confirming your order. Avoid purchasing the medicine from websites that do not ask for a prescription.

Beware of websites that offer huge discounts

Do not provide credentials if the site looks suspicious

After receiving the package ensure that the medicine is inside a sealed container and that the dosage/form matches the prescription. Do not use the medicine if the seal is broken as this indicates tampered medicine which can lead to severe health-related consequences.

Note from Dentis Healthcare about the importance of Medical Supervision

When using opioids for pain management, constant medical supervision is required to make sure there are no adverse effects of the medication. The same thing goes for Hydrocodone, a medical professional is necessary to constantly monitor the changes in your body after starting the medication. This helps to detect any adverse effects in the early stage significantly reducing the risks of severe consequences. This supervision is crucial during the first 24 to 70 hours of the medication because how your body reacts to the medication during this time decides the future course of treatment.

The professionals at Dentis Healthcare provide the necessary guidance that is required for opioid-based medication use. Opioids and Dental Pain are closely related as dentists often prescribe opioid-based medication to deal with pain after a dental treatment. We believe that we must ensure that patients only get the benefits of the medication without any complications.

Conclusion

The use of Hydrocodone is very effective for acute or chronic pain as a result it became one of the most prescribed opioids. Hydrocodone is a very potent pain relief medication on its own but it is often prescribed in combination with other drugs like acetaminophen. Being a strong opioid medication it provides effective pain relief in opioid-tolerant patients.

Hydrocodone’s use for pain management has its risks and complications, taking this medication for a longer duration can lead to dependence and addiction. Using hydrocodone can introduce some unwanted side effects which can be mild or severe. To ensure a risk-free treatment stick to the prescribed dosage and follow all the required precautions.